Editing Como (section)

===The Rusca Lordship and Subsequent Periods===

The [[Guelphs and Ghibellines|Ghibelline]] Rusca family rose to prominence in Como during the 13th and 14th centuries, vying for power with the [[Vitani family]].  They briefly established a lordship over Como and its territories, but ultimately, in 1335, Milan, under [[Azzone Visconti]], reasserted control, annexing Como to the [[Duchy of Milan]].  Brief periods of independence followed, including the establishment of the "Republic of Saint Abundius" in 1447, but by 1450, Como was definitively incorporated into the Duchy of Milan under Francesco Sforza.<ref name="lombardiabeniculturali.it"/>

Subsequently, Como's history was intertwined with the Duchy of Milan, experiencing French invasion, Spanish rule, and Austrian control until the Napoleonic era.  Napoleon's rule lasted until 1815, after which Austrian dominion was reinstated following the [[Congress of Vienna]]. By 1848, Como's population reached 16,000.<ref>{{cite book |title=The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge Vol IV |date=1848 |publisher=Charles Knight |location=London |page=811}}</ref> In 1859, with [[Giuseppe Garibaldi]]'s arrival, Como became part of the newly unified [[Italian unification|Kingdom of Italy]].

In the 20th century, Como witnessed a significant historical event at the end of World War II.  [[Benito Mussolini]], attempting to escape to Switzerland, was captured and executed by partisans in [[Giulino di Mezzegra]], near Lake Como. In the 21st century, Como remains a vital city in Lombardy, economically linked to Milan and increasingly reliant on tourism.